Stephen Moore: Using 'Sue and Settle' to Thwart Oil and Gas Drillers

The Endangered Species Act is being employed more than ever to block development.

Last week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an environmental advocacy group agreed to a legal settlement that will place nine species—including the Panama City crayfish, moccasinshell mussel and boreal toad—on the fast track for placement on the endangered species list. It is only the latest of many such listings.

The Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned Fish and Wildlife to designate some 250...